Singapore: Building an eco-winner

Straits Times 26 Nov 07;

Singapore has gained a green and clean edge with such environmentally-targeted products and processes

NEED and ability are combining to propel China and Singapore to build an ecologically friendly township.

The Tianjin eco-city agreement the two countries signed last week is further recognition by China that rapid economic growth with too little regard for the environment is unsustainable.

For Singapore, the project will play to its strengths in green technology maturing after several years of development and application. So, as with the Suzhou industrial park, the cooperation is more than a symbol of expanding and deepening ties; it serves real needs and purposes and will result in many tangible and lucrative benefits.

China is in an environmental crisis. As many as 750,000 people a year die prematurely from respiratory disease due to foul air, according to the World Health Organisation. Tainted water causes another 60,000 early deaths. Health and other costs of air and water pollution lop 5.8 per cent off gross domestic product, the World Bank reported last July.

According to China's own estimates, two-thirds of the 338 cities that monitor air-quality suffer from pollution. Contamination affects almost all rivers to some extent and 90 per cent of urban water severely. One in two Chinese lacks drinking water.

Unsurprisingly, the government has made environmental protection a top priority. A theme the recent 17th Party Congress took up was 'comprehensive, balanced and sustainable development'. The current five-year plan aims to reduce carbon emission by 10 per cent and boost energy efficiency by 20 per cent.

Singapore's contribution may be small initially, but nevertheless could be significant eventually.

The eco-project will allow high-profile demonstration - and likely replication elsewhere - of benefits Singapore has realised in turning environmental adversity to advantage.

Limited size has long forced it to use land, water, clean air and energy with utmost efficiency. Optimisation and innovation have reduced costs and contributed to growth.

The quality environment thus achieved has offered it competitive advantage in attracting business, talent and tourists. It has gained a green and clean edge with such environmentally-targeted products and processes as Newater, integrated water and sanitation systems, efficient power generation and consumption, effective people, private- and public-sector (3P) partnership, and smart legislative and policy options.

Singapore has abundant expertise to showcase in Tianjin, with prospects of enhancing its strong international reputation as a leader in the green cause. Now, the test is whether the model can be replicated elsewhere.